Abnormal Psychology Fall 2010 Syllabus Class Meetings: Lecture: T, TH 9.25-10.40 AM, Room : Friends 207 Instructor: Dr. Hugh Stephenson Office: W109 Phone: 274-3251 E-mail: Stephens@ithaca.edu, or click here to send e- mail to Hugh. Office Hours: MW 11:00-12:00 AM, or by appointment. Click here for more information about Hugh. Teaching Assistant: Lindsey Ahearn Office: E-mail: mailto:lahearn1@ithaca.edu%20 Office Hours: Mon 1.00-2.00, Wed 3-4.30 Williams 012 Basement Autism lab, email important messages Text Books: Barlow and Durand, Abnormal Psychology. 2009. Thompson Wadsworth. Course Goals Abnormal psychology is a survey course for psychology majors and students in related disciplines. The course includes lectures, video presentations, discussion and classroom exercises. The course includes an historical perspective of psychological disorders, a review of classification and diagnosis, a review of psychological assessment, and a review of current treatment issues. In addition to these topics the
bulk of the course is dedicated to exploring the etiology, symptoms and treatments of specific disorders. In approaching the material we will take a perspective that is: Scientific-Abnormal psychology is replete with historical examples of diagnostic categories used to promote a particular social value or agenda. It is important that students understand different definitions of pathology, disorder or disease that are employed, and how these judgments affect subsequent scientific investigation. Students will lean the importance of scientific principles in understanding different disorders. A scientific approach is particularly important with respect to assessments of treatment outcomes and nature nurture issues in etiology. Historical-Many of the disorders are unique to a particular historical context, others are invariant across time and place. Understanding the historical context helps illuminate the roles of cultural versus biological factors in the etiology of a disorder. Integrative-Most disorders in involve dynamic interaction between mental, social, interpersonal and biological factors. Students will learn to appreciate the dynamic interplay of these "causes" and learn to avoid common simplifications in vernacular understandings of mental illness. Critical-In the current media culture there has been a rapid expansion of the disorder categories and marketing of pharmaceutical treatments for new disorders, Students need to be properly skeptical of medical claims made in a commercial context and merely couched in scientific terms. Multicultural-Gender and culture affect the types of disorders people develop, the symptoms expressed and the treatment approaches. Students will learn to appreciate the role of culture and gender in symptom presentation and how issues of culture and gender can introduce bias into diagnosis and treatment. Attendance policy: Attendance and participation. Attendance is required. Participation in discussion is strongly encouraged and extra credit will be available to those who actively participate during the semester. Absences. To obtain an excused absence for an exam, students must submit a written description of the absence at least a week in advance to the teaching assistant. In the case of illness a doctors' note may be provided following the absence. Conflicting travel plans, social events, or family events will not constitute an excuse for absence.
Evaluation of students: Exams The class grade will be from four of the best five multiple choice and short answer exams. Students may drop one exam, so a total of four exams contribute to the course grade. There are no makeup exams. Students can drop any exam if they need to be absent but must then use all remaining four for the course grade. The date of the final exam is fixed by the registrar and cannot be moved. Extra credit may be earned through classroom participation, research participation, and brief papers on specific issues within abnormal psychology. Other means for obtaining extra credit will be announced in Class. A total of ten points may be earned which will be 5% of the final grade. Four of these points may be earned through research participation and 6 through other activities including lectures, movies and paper responses that will be announced throughout the semester. Students not already signed up will want to sign up with Sona Systems. http://ithaca.sona-systems.com/ Cell Phone and laptops: Cell phones are distracting to you, me and others around you. Likewise laptops used for purposes other than notetaking are a distraction. If you use a laptop for notetaking sit in the front row. Extre credit point earned will be forfeited for cell use (texting) or surfing. Grading. Letter grades are assigned according to the following scale: Percent Correct Letter Grade 90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D Below 60 is an F. General Lecture Topics: This is a general guide to the course, exact dates may change. Left hand Column indicates the Monday of the week starting on that date. Week Text Chapter and Topic Schedule Notes Exam
of Aug 23 Introduction/History CH1 None Aug 30 Introduction/History CH1 None Sept 6 Integrative Approach CH2 Exam Sept 13 Classification, Diagnoses & Assessment CH3 None Sept 20 Classification, Diagnoses & Assessment CH3 None Sept 27 Anxiety Disorders CH5 None Oct 4 Anxiety Disorders CH5 Exam Oct 11 Somato/Dissociation CH6 None break Oct 18 Somato/Dissociation CH6 None Oct 25 Mood Dsrdr/Depression CH7 None
Nov 1 Mood Dsrdr/Depression CH7 Exam Nov 8 Schizophrenia CH13 None Nov 15 Schizophrenia CH13 Exam Nov 22 Thanksgiving None Nov 29 Eating disorders CH8 None Dec 6 Personality Disorders CH12 None Dec 13 Finals Week Thursday Dec 13 th 1.30 Final